Survey results released this week show the alarming amount of abuse, threats and violence directed at New Zealand’s roading and traffic control workforce, with a high percentage of respondents reporting threats of physical assault in the past year and many feeling ‘at risk’.

The 2025 Traffic Controller Safety Survey results represent the first trans-Tasman study exploring the experiences and perceptions of traffic controllers and featuring almost 700 responses from New Zealand workers. Alarmingly, New Zealand workers felt less safe and more at risk than their Australian counterparts.

Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard said road work sites posed some of the highest risks for road workers and road users, and better public understanding was needed.

“Traffic controllers work to keep people safe on and around road work sites, and their companies invest heavily to manage risk and keep road workers safe. Despite their best efforts, traffic controllers are having to face up to some of the highest risks on the job, including oncoming traffic and abuse.

“It’s outrageous that around 30 per cent of traffic controllers do not feel safe in their work. This would not be normal in any other workplace, and it should not be normal in temporary traffic management. It’s something we must address as an industry, and as a society.” 

Mr Pollard said the survey results clearly demonstrated the risks faced by workers, with a majority reporting verbal abuse and drivers refusing to stop at a rate of more than once a week, while nearly 20 per cent experienced some form of physical assault in the past year.

While most people work from the safety of an office, traffic control workers often need to work in live traffic lanes. Aside from the psychological impact of facing oncoming traffic, many had been struck by vehicles, with 4.3 per cent reporting they had been struck by a vehicle in the past year. 

He called for increased leadership to better support the people at the coalface.

“It’s not acceptable that those who work to keep people safe are subject to violence and abuse. It must stop, and we all need to stand up and support better outcomes for the people that devote their time to safe road work sites.”

Mr Pollard said support was needed at the policy level to implement recommendations from the survey, including strengthening enforcement and consequences, expanded technology, physical protection on road work sites, and a full-scale public awareness campaign, all of which would address the poor behaviour and abuse experienced on a weekly basis.

The 2025 Traffic Controller Safety Survey was produced by the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group (New Zealand) and the Traffic Management Association of Australia (Australia).